Rick Stiebel/B次元官网网址 Gazette staff

Reading a book about children in war-torn countries motivated a Grade 4 class at Happy Valley elementary to help children caught up in those conflicts find a way to attend school.

The students were inspired by a book from The Breadwinner series by Deborah Ellis, which chronicles the struggles of children, especially girls, seeking education in Afghanistan and Pakistan, explained teacher Anna Lefsrud. That led to discussion about Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient world-renowned for her fight for education for girls.

Niayah Morris, a nine-year-old Grade 4 student, said the class was shocked to learn that 66 million girls are deprived of the opportunity to go to school. B次元官网网址淲e wanted to do something to help so we organized a bake sale,B次元官网网址� she said.

Classmate Jorja Strandlund said the class raised $983, which will go toward the , which assists refugees and provides education in third world countries.

Both students said they were moved by the motto, B次元官网网址淥ne Teacher, One Book and One Pen Can Change the World.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲e were really inspired to work hard on this,B次元官网网址� they said in unison.

Lefsrud said itB次元官网网址檚 been rewarding to see how the studentsB次元官网网址� views of the world have changed thoughout the process. Educational assistant Jaimie McFarland noted that the experience has broadened their perspective on the challenges children face in other parts of the world.

The bake sale, which took place on June 9 during lunch hour and after school, had B次元官网网址渢ons of involvementB次元官网网址� from parents, Lefsrud added.

Happy Valley principal Karen DeCicco said she was extremely proud of what the teachers and students have achieved.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com